A friendship that started in accounting classes at Miami University of Ohio and continued during a study trip in Europe is where it all began for Stephanie Urness and Kevin Murphy. Fate intervened when the two ended up in the same apartment building in Chicago post-graduation, and nearly three years later, Kevin proposed on a trip to Amelia Island, Florida. The couple and their families—who watched the proposal from afar—popped the Champagne and the celebration began. On the couple’s big day, the backyard of the Urness residence was transformed into an idyllic wedding venue. Their dog, Ziggy Marley, acted as flower girl and wore an elegant collar of greenery, maintaining the formal dress code. As a nod to Kevin’s Nashville roots, Stephanie’s family participated in a traditional “bury the bourbon” ritual, where the spirit is buried at the reception site a month before the wedding; during the rehearsal he dug it up and everyone took a shot to kick off the weekend. White and green botanicals abounded, and glass chandeliers shed a warm glow inside an enormous tent. Drinks flowed from the circular bar that Stephanie had visualized and was built as a gathering spot, while she and her bridesmaids changed into short sequined dresses to kick off the dancing. The band ended the evening with “Purple Rain” by Prince, a tribute to Minnesota.
